Underground storage tank filler neck and closure cap construction



Oct 4, 19%

Filed Sept. 22. 1954 ELL RG F. H. M UNDERGROUND STORAGE TAN IL-LECLOSURE CAP CONSTRUCTI ECK AND 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct.v 4, 1960 F. H.MELLBERG UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK FILLER NECK AND CLOSURE CAPCONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 22, 1954 Irm/zvnfiz FrankHMeZZbe zzg UNDERGROUND STGRAGE TANK FILLER NECK AND CLOSURE CAP(IONSTRUC'IION Frank H. Mellberg, Chicago, BL, assignor of one-half toHarry A. Mellberg, Rockford, 11].

Filed Sept. 22, 1954, Set. No. 457,663

9 Claims. (Cl. 220-40) This invention relates to fillercaps, and, moreparticularly, relatively large diameter caps such as are required forunderground storage tanks containing gasoline, kerosene, fuel oil, andthe like.

The caps now being used on such tanks are objectionable because of thegreat difiiculty in removing the same in cold weather when freezingconditions make turning of the caps practically impossible, a furtherobjection being that when a cap was removed there was nothing to tie itup with respect to any one tank out of a group and nothing marked on itto identify the contents of the tank, with the result that many costlymistakes were made in the ensuing confusion. It is, therefore, theprincipal object of my invention to provide a cap of improved design andconstruction that avoids the objections mentioned, the same, to be morespecific, including the following improvements:

(1) there is provided a downwardly tapered reduced .rim portion on thecap which is received in a correspondingly tapered counterbore providedin the upper end portion of the neck to which the cap is applied,thereby making for easier release of the cap in the event it is frozentight;

(2.) there are three spring tongues secured to the underside of the capin equally circumferentially spaced relation as retaining meansengageable under inward projections provided therefor in equallycircumferentially spaced relation in the neck and these tongues haveangularly inclined laterally extending portions adapted to act as sledrunners to ride up on inclined surfaces provided on top of the aforesaidprojections whereby to help lift the cap in the rotation thereof in theopening direction, the other side of each of said tongues also havingangularly inclined lateral extensions for a similar sled runner effectin riding under said projections when the cap is turned in the oppositedirection in closing, whereby to spring said tongues downwardly andcause the cap to be tightly resiliently engaged with a compressiblegasket as it is moved home; (3) said tongues are inclined in a radialdirection as are also the undersides of the projections to help centerthe cap with respect to the neck as the tongues ride under theprojections in the turning of the cap in the closing direction;

(4) there are vertical stop shoulders provided on the bottoms of theprojections in the neck against which the tongues engage to limitturning of the cap in closing, thereby indicating to the operator whenthe cap reaches the fully closed position, and

said cap is provided with an overhanging flange for protection of theneck against ingress of moisture, snow or dirt, and this flange isprovided also with circumferentially spaced peripheral notches which,being at the maximum radius, insures easiest turning of the cap by anymeans entered therein.

atetlt The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings,wherein- Fig. 1 is a top view of the cap of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a top view of the neck with the cap applied and indicated asbeing in fully closed positionron the caps three spring tongues beingshown and their fastening screws being indicated in section on the line22 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 3 is a developed view on line 3-3 of Fig. 2, showing one of thecaps spring tongues in a position corresponding to the start of thedrawing down of the cap in the fastening thereof, if the cap isconsidered as about to be turned in a clockwise direction, or theposition in which the cap is about to be cammed upwardly inthe removalthereof by the three spring tongues riding up on the three inclined camsurfaces provided for that purpose in the neck, an intermediate portionof the View being broken away, as indicated, in order to save space andpermit showing the parts on a larger scale, and

Fig. 4 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in vertical sectionon line 4-4 of Fig. 2 but indicating the cap in the same position as inFig. 3, and showing the Wrench of my invention applied to the cap forturning the same. I

The same reference numerals are applied to corresponding partsthroughout these views.

Referring to the drawings, it will be understood that the neck indicatedat 5 has its upper end disposed at or slightly above ground level, andhas a filler pipe 6 threaded into its lower end 7 and extending down toand connected with an underground tank (not shown). The neck 5 containssome of the improvements of my invention, the rest being embodied in thecap 8 and wrench 9;. A flexible chain is diagrammatically indicated at10 as provided between an eye 11 provided on the bottom of the cap 8 anda suitable anchor 12 provided inside the neck 5, whereby to make certainthat the right cap is alwaysreturned to the associated neck and therebyinsure correct identification of the tanks contents, especially if thecaps are painted different colors according to a code to identify thedifferent liquids stored, or, better still, if they are labelled on top,as shown at 13, for example, to positively identify the given commodity.The tieup of caps to necks, plus the identifying markings, are obviouslyenough to eliminate any further likelihood of confusion and the costlymistakes made heretofore are not apt to occur again.

The cap 8 comprises a cast circular body 14 having a downwardlyprojecting annular rim 15 concentric therewith, and a radially outwardlyprojecting marginal flange 16, inthe periphery of which are provided,preferably at intervals, diametrically opposed notches 17 forcooperation with the drive teeth or lugs 18 of the wrench 9, as shown inFig. 4. The outer periphery 19 of rim 15 tapers downwardly and there isa matching taper in the counterbore 20 in the upper end of the neck 5 inwhich the rim 15 fits fairly freely for centering of the cap, thecompression by the rim of a slightly compressible leather gasket ring 21being relied upon for a good seal when the cap is applied and turned allthe way home. There is then still a small clearance of a few thousandthsof an inch between the periphery 19 of the rim 15 and the counterbore 20as distinguished from a wedging fit, the purpose being to insure freedomof turning in the loosening of the cap, the few thousandths of an inchclearance being insufficient to give rise to any likelihood of moistureentering and freezing and thus preventing turning of the cap when it isto be removed. The ring 21 is set into an annular retaining groove 22 a3 provided at the bottom 23 of the counterbore 20. The flange 16overhangs the outside" of neck sufiici'ently to" shield it againstingress of any water, snow or dirt, and the notches 17 are purposelymade shallow enough radially of the flange to leave ajlittle overhang atthose points for further shielding of the joint between the cap-andneck. I

There are three radially disposed,-equall circumfercntially' spacedspring tongues 24 of elongated form that are secured at their inner endsby screws 25 to the bottom of a central boss 26 on. cap 8.Thesertongue's project downwardly at an acute angle from the horizontalplane of the bottom of boss 25 and their T-shaped outer end portions 27are arranged in the application of the cap to drop down in the threeentrance spaces 28 left for them between three radially inwardlyextending projections 29 cast integral with the inside of neck 5 justbelow the bot.- tom '23 of counterbore 20. The projections 29 eachproyide an elongated bottom cam surface 30 extending circumfe'rentiallyof one end portion thereof from the entrance 28 at one end thereof andterminating at a vertical stop shoulder 31 intermediate the endsthereof, and an elongated top cam surface 32 extending circumferentiallyof the other end portion thereof from the entrance 28 at that endthereof. Surfaces 30 and 32, it will be understood are inclined bothcircumferentially, as appears in Fig. 3, and radially like tongues 24,as appears in Figs. 3 and 4. The tongues 24 have the arms ofthe T-shapedouter end portions 27 bent downwardly, as best appears in Fig. 3, toprovide inclined sled runners 33 and 351- for slidable engagement on thecam surfaces 30 and 32, re spectively, the engagement of runners 33 onsurfaces 30 causing downward deflection or springing of the tongues 24so as to permit the tongues to engage under the surfaces and hold thecap 8 closed tightly under spring pressure, whereas engagement of therunners 34 on surfaces 32, when the cap 8 is turned in the oppositedirection, as in opening, causes upward springing of the tongues toapply a good lift on the cap 8 to help unseat it and raise it so that itcan be easily removed. The radial inclination of the tongues 24 andthecorresponding radial inclination of the cam surfaces helps to center thecap with respect to the neck the instant the sled runners 33 on thetongues 24 engage the surfaces 30 in the turning of the cap in theclosing direction, the downward pull on the cap exerted by the tongues24 being, therefore, substantially equalized, so that the cap can beturned home much more easily than would otherwise be true. The downwardinclination of surfaces 30 is shown in Fig"; 3 as being rather slightbut this inclination can, of course,

be increased if it is desired to have the cap held down l with increasedspring pressure by increased deflection of the spring tongues 24, or thesurface 30 maybe horizontal, if no increasein hold down pressure isdesired. When the sled runners 33 strike the stop shoulders 31, theoperator'knows that the cap is fully closed. When the cap isturned inthe opposite direction for removal the operator is immediately aware byfeel when the tongues 24 ride off surfaces 30 and onto surfaces 32. Thecap is loose when the tongues 24 reach spaces 28 and it is lifted offits seat as the tongues ride up on surfaces 32; i

In conclusion, attention is called to'Fig 4 showing the spanner wrench9. The body thereof is of elongated form, appreciably longer thanthediameter of the cap 8-, and is designed to extend diametricallyacross the top of the cap in the manner shown. It has two lugs or teeth18 on diametrically opposite ends of its downwardly OESGli middleportion 35,'which fit in the notches 17 on the cap to connect the wrenchto the capfor drive purposes. The upwardly bent and portions 36 bothterminate in handles 37 and these, of course, may be of any desiredlength :so as to provide thedesired amount of leverage in tightening andloosening the'cap. While the lugs 18 are herein shown as fastened to thebody of the wrench by means of rivets 38, it will, of course, beunderstood that they may be welded in place or formed integral with thebody of the wrench.

It is believed the foregoing description conveys a good understanding ofthe objects and advantages of my invention. The appended claims havebeen drawn to cover all legitimate modifications and adaptations.

I claim:

1. In a filler neck and closure cap combination comprising a filler neckhaving a bore and a counterborc provided therein with an annularshoulder defined therebetween, a ca for said neck having a downwardlyprojecting annular rim portion entered in said counterbore, and a"gasket ring arranged to be compressed between the aforesaid annularshoulder and the downwardly projecting rim portion of said cap to effecta seal, improved means for detachably securing said cap in placecompressing said gasket ring, comprising a plurality ofcircumferentially elongated projections in said bore incircumferentially spaced relation below said annular shoulder extendingradially inwardly, each projection having cam surfaces extendingcircumferentially inwardly from the top and bottom of the opposite ends,respectively, the bottom ca'm surface on each projection being adjacentto the top cam surface of the next projection, and a plurality ofelongated spring tongues mounted on the bottom ofsaid cap extendingradially outwardly from the center thereof and arranged so that theouter end portions thereof are movable downwardly in the spaces betweensaid projections and are disposed approximately in the horizontal planeof the ends of the bottom cam surfaces when the cap is seated, saidtongues being sprung downwardly when slidably engaged with the bottomcam surfaces in the rotation of the cap in a closing direction, wherebyto effect compression of the gasket ring, and said tongues being sprungupwardly when slidably e11 gages on'the top cam surfaces when the cap isturned in the opposite direction, whereby to unseat the cap, the

outer end portions of said spring tongues being T-shaped providinglaterally projecting arms on opposite sides thereof-,- said arms beinginclined downwardly, one to reach under the bottom cam surfacesassociated therewith and the other to ride on top of the top camsurfaces associated therewith. f v

2. In a filler neck and closure cap combination comprising a filler neckhaving a bore and a counterbore provided therein with an annularshoulder defined thereb'et'ween, a cap for said neck having a downwardlyprojectin annular rim portion entered in said counterbore, and'a gasketring arranged to be compressed between the aforesaid annular shoulderand the downwardly projectin'g rim por't'ion "of said cap to effect aseal, improved meansfor' detachably securing saidcap in platecompressing said gasket ring, comprising a plurality ofcircumferentially' elongated projections in said here inoffcumfcrentially spaced relation below said annular shoulder extendingradially inwardly, each projection having cam surfaces extendingcircumferentially inwardly from the" top' and bottom of'the oppositeends, respectively, the bottom cam surface on each projection beingadjacent the 'top 'carn surface of the next projection, and apiurality'of elongated spring tongues mounted on the hoti tom of saidcap extending radially outwardly from the center therof and arrangedso'that the outer end por dons-thereof are movable downwardly in thespaces between said projections and are disposed approximately in thehorizontal plane of the ends'of the bottom cam surfaces when the cap isseated, said tongues being" sprung downwardly when slidably engaged withthe bot tom cam surfaces in the rotation of the cap in a closingdirections, whereby to effect compression of the gasket rings, and saidtongues being sprung upwardly when slida bly engaged on the top-camsurfaces when the cap is turned inthe opposite direction, wherebyto-unseat the I cap, the outerend portions of said spring tongues beingT-shaped providing laterally projecting arms on opposite sides thereof,said arms being inclined downwardly, one to reach under the bottom camsurfaces associated there- .With and the other to ride on top of the topcam surfaces associated therewith, the latter arm having a reverse bendon the outer end portion thereof forming a sled runner having a portionthereof at the approximate inclination of the top cam surfaces.

3. In a filler neck and closure cap combination comprising a filler neckhaving a bore and a counterbore provided therein, and a cap for saidneck having a downwardly projecting annular rim portion entered in saidcounterbore, improved means for detachably securing said cap in placecomprising a plurality of circumferentially elongated projections insaid vbore in circumferentially spaced relation extending radiallyinwardly, each projection having cam surfaces extendingcircumferentially inwardly from the .top and bottom of the oppositeends, respectively, the bottom cam surface on each projection beingadjacent the top cam surface of the next projection, and a plurality ofelongated spring tongues mounted -on the bottom of said cap extendingradially outwardly from the center thereofand arranged so that the outerend portions thereof are movable downwardly in the spaces between saidprojections and are disposed approximately in the horizontal plane ofthe ends of the bottom cam surfaces when the cap is seated, said tonguesbeing sprung downwardly when slidably engaged with the bottom camsurfaces .in the rotation of the cap in a closing direction, whereby tocause tighter seating of the cap, and said tongues being sprung upwardlywhen slidably engaged on the top cam surfaces when the cap is turned inthe opposite direction, whereby to unseat the cap, the outer endportions of said spring tongues being T-shaped providing laterallyprojecting arms on opposite sides thereof, said arms being inclineddownwardly, one to reach under the bottom cam surfaces associatedtherewith and the other to ride on topof the top cam surfaces associated therewith.

4. Ina filler neck and closure cap combination comprising a filler neckhaving a bore and a counterbore provided therein, and a cap for saidneck having a downwardly projecting annular rim portion entered in saidcounterbore, improved means for detachably securing said cap in placecomprising a plurality of circumferentially elongated projections insaid bore .in circumferentially spaced relation extending radiallyinwardly, each projection having cam surfaces extendingcircumferentially inwardly from the top and bottom of the opposite ends,

respectively, the bottom cam surface on each projection being adjacentthe top 'camsurface of the next projection, and a plurality of elongatedspring tongues mounted on the bottom of said cap extending radiallyoutwardly from the center thereof and arranged .so that the outer endportions ithereof are movable downwardly in the 5 spaces between saidprojections and are disposed approximately in the horizontal plane ofthe ends of the bottom cam surfaces when the cap is seated, said tonguesbeing sprung downwardly when slidably engaged with the bottom camsurfaces in the rotation of the cap in a closing direction, whereby tocause tighter seating of the cap, and said tongues being sprung upwardlywhen slidably engaged on the top cam surfaces when the cap is turned inthe opposite direction, whereby to unseat the cap, the outer endportions of said spring tongues being T-shaped providing laterallyprojecting arms on opposite sides thereof, said arms being inclineddownwardly, one to reach under the bottom cam surfaces associatedtherewith and the other to ride on top of the top cam surfacesassociated therewith, the latter arm having a reverse bend on the outerend portion thereof forming a sled runner having a portion thereof atthe approximate inclination of the top cam surfaces.

5. In a filler neck and closure cap combination, comprising a fillerneck having a bore and a counterbore provided therein, and a cap forsaid neck having a downward- Iy projecting annular rim portion enteredin said counterbore, improvedmeans for detachably securing said cap inplace comprising three evenly circumferentially spaced circumferentiallyelongated projections in said bore extending radially inwardly, eachprojection having cam surfaces extending circurnferentially inwardlyfrom the top and bottom of the opposite ends, respectively, the bottomcam surface on each projection being adjacent the top cam surface of thenext projection, and three evenly circumferentially spaced elongatedspring tongues mounted on the bottom of said cap extending radiallyoutwardly from the center thereof and arranged so that the outer end portions thereof are movable downwardly in the spaces between saidprojections and are disposed approximately in the horizontal plane ofthe ends of the bottom cam surfaces when the cap is seated, said tonguesbeing sprung downwardly when slidably engaged with the bottom camsurfaces in the rotation of the cap in a closing direction, whereby tocause tighter seating of the cap substantially uniformlycircumferentially thereof, and said tongues being sprung upwardly whenslidably engaged on the top cam surfaces when the cap is turned in theopposite direction, whereby to unseat the cap with substantially uniformlift circumferentially thereof, the outer end portions of said springtongues being T-shaped providing laterally projecting arms on oppositesides thereof, said arms being inclined downwardly, one to reach underthebottom cam surfaces associated therewith and the other to ride on topof the top cam surfaces associated therewith.

6. In a filler neck and closure cap combination, comprising a fillerneck having a bore and a counterbore provided therein, and a cap forsaid neck having a downwardly projecting annular rim portion entered insaid counterbore, improved means. for detachably securing said cap inplace comprising three evenly circumferentially spacedcircuinferentially elongated projections in said bore extending radiallyinwardly, each projection having cam surfaces extendingcircumferentially inwardly from the top and bottom of the opposite ends,respectively, the bottom cam surface on each projection being adjacentthe top cam surface of the next projection, and three evenlycircumferentially spaced elongated spring tongues mountedon the bottomof said cap extending radially voutwardly from the center thereof andarranged so that the outer end portions thereof are movable downwardlyin the spaces between said projections and are disposed approximately inthe horizontal plane of the ends of the bottom cam surfaces when the capis seated, said tongues being sprung downwardly when slidably engagedwith the bottom cam surfaces in the rotation of the cap in a closingdirection, whereby to cause tighter seating of the cap substantiallyuniformly circumferentially thereof, and

said tongues being sprung upwardly when slidably engaged on the top camsurfaces when the cap is turned in the opposite direction, whereby tounseat the cap with ibstantially uniform lift circumferentially thereof,the outer end portions of said spring tongues being T-shaped providinglaterally projecting arms on opposite sides thereof, said arms beinginclined downwardly, one to reach under the bottom cam surfacesassociated therewith and the other to ride on top of the top camsurfaces associated therewith, the latter arm having a reverse bend onthe outer end portion thereof forming a sled runner having a portionthereof at the approximate inclination of the top cam surfaces.

7. In a filler neck and closure cap combination comprising a filler neckhaving a bore and a counterbore provided therein with an annularshoulder defined therebetween, a cap for said neck having a downwardlyprojecting annular rim portion entered in said counterbore, and a gasketring arranged to be compressed between the aforesaid annular shoulderand the downwardly projecting rim portion of said cap to effect a seal,improved means for detachably securing said cap in place compressingsaid gasket ring, comprising a plurality of circumferofsaid capextending radially outwardly from the centerthereof and arranged so thatthe outer end portions thereof are movable downwardly in the spacesbetween said projections anda-re disposed approximately in the horizontal plane of the ends of the bottom cam surfaces when the cap isseated, said tongues being sprung downwardly when slidably engaged withthe bottom cam surfaces in the rotation-ofthe cap in a closingdirection, whereby to effect compression of the gasket ring, and saidtongues being sprung upwardly when slidably engaged on the topcamsurfaces when the cap is turned in the opposite direction, whereby tounseat the cap, the outer end portions of said spring tongues being'T-shaped providing laterally projecting arms on opposite sides thereof,one of. which arms has a downwardly and outwardly inclined top surfacefor slidable engagement with the bottom cam surface associatedtherewith, and the other of which arms has an upwardly and outwardlyinclined bottom-surface for slidable engagement with the top cam surfaceassociated therewith.

8. In 'a filler neck and closure cap combination comprising a fillerneck having a bore and a counterbore provided therein, and a cap forsaid neck having va downwardly projecting annular rim portion entered insaid counterbore, improved means for detachably securing said cap inplace comprising a plurality of circumferentially elongated projectionsin said bore in circumferentially spaced relation extending radiallyinwardly, each projection having cam surfaces extendingcircumferentially inwardly from the top and bottom of the opposite ends,respectively, the bottom cam surface on each projection being adjacentthe top cam surface of the next projection, and a plurality of elongatedspring tongues mounted on the bottom of said cap extending radiallyoutwardly from the center thereof and arranged so that the outer endvportions thereof are movable downwardly in the spaces between saidprojections and are disposed approximately in the horizontal plane'ofthe endsof the bottom cam surfaces when the cap is seated,-said tonguesbeing sprung downwardly when slidably engaged with the bottom camsurfaces in the rotation of the cap in a closing direction, whereby tocause tighter seating of the cap, and said tongues being sprung upwardlywhen slidably engaged on the top cam surfaces when the cap is turned inthe opposite direction, whereby to unseat the cap, the outer-endportions of said spring tongues being T-shaped providing laterallyprojecting arms on opposite sides thereof, one ofwhich armsthasadownwardly and outwardly inclined top surface for s'li'dable engagementwith the bottom cam surface associated. therewith, andthe other of whichaims has an upwardly and outwardly inclined bottom surface for slidableengagcmentwith the top cam surface associated thereiivith. e 5

9. In a filler neck and closure cap combination, comprising a fillerneck having a bore and a counterbore provided therein, and a cap forsaid neck having a downwardly projecting annular rim portion-entered insaid counterbore, improved means for detachably securing said cap inplace comprisingthree evenly'circumfe'rentially spaced circumferentiailyelongated proj'ections in said bore extending radially inwardly, eachprojection having cam surfaces extending'circumferentially inwardly fromthe top and bottom of the opposite ends, respectively, the bottom camsurface on each projection being. adjacent the top cam surface oflthenext projection, and three evenly circumferentially spaced elongatedspring tongues mounted on the bottom of said cap extending radiallyoutwardly from the centerrthereof and arranged so that.

the outer end portions thereof are movable downwardly in the spacesbetween said projections and are disposed approximately in thehorizontal plane of the ends of the bottom cam surfaces whenfthe'cap isseated, said tongues being sprung downwardly when slidably engaged withthe bottom cam surfaces in the rotation'of the cap in a cIos-, ringdirection, whereby. to cause tighter seating of the cap substantiallyuniformly circumferentially thereof, and said tongues being sprungupwardly when slidably engaged on the ,top cam surfaces when the cap isturned in theopposite direction, whereby to unseat the cap withsubstantially uniform lift circumferentially thereof, the outer endportions of said springrtongues being T-shaped providing laterallyprojecting arms on opposite sides thereof, one of which arms has adownwardly and outwardly inclined top surface for slidable engagementwith the bottom cam surface associated therewith,,-and the other ofwhich arms has an upwardly and outwardly in- I clined bottom surface forslidable engagement with the top .carn surface associated therewith.

' References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS220,835 Hettinge'r an--- Oct. 21,, 1879 492,227 ONeil Feb. 21, 18931,503,349 Clay a July 29, 1924 1,569,881 Reid a. Jan. 19,, 19261,579,992 Altman Apr, 6, 1926 1,593,847 Reid na jluly 27, 1926 1,735,056Richey "11"- Nov. 12, 1929 1,923,338 Stant .i Aug. 22, 1933 2,245,290Myers .1. 'June 10, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OFCORRECTION Patent No; 235 895 October 4 1960 Frank H, Mellberg It ishereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of theabovenumbered patent requiring correction andv that the said LettersPatent should read as corrected below.

Column 4 line 5 2. for "-plate" read place line 70 for "directions" readdirection Signed and sealedthie 11th day of April 19619 (SEAL) Attest:

ER WW P ARTHUR W. CROCKER Attesting Officer Acting Commissioner ofPatents

